Chinese foreign minister conveyed deep sympathies to the families of the 40 CRPF jawans killed in the attack.

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Pedro Nunes / Reuters

China on Saturday sent a condolence message to India and expressed shock over the Pulwama terror attack, according to reports.

However, The Indian Express reported that the message made no mention of either Pakistan or Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the terror group which has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

The report further said that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, conveyed deep sympathies to the families of the 40 CRPF jawans killed in the attack.

Wang Yi, according to NDTV, also stressed that terrorism is the common enemy of mankind and that the “Chinese side resolutely opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism”.

“Countries in the region should enhance cooperation, jointly address the threat of terrorism and maintain regional peace and security,” Wang Yi said in the message, according to NDTV.

China had on Friday also expressed deep “shock” over the Pulwama terror attack but did not give an assurance to India that it will back New Delhi’s appeal to list the UN-proscribed Pakistan-based terror group’s chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist.

“China has noted the reports of suicide terrorist attack. We are deeply shocked by this attack. We express deep condolences and sympathy to the injured and bereaved families,” spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang had told a media briefing.

“We firmly oppose and strongly condemn all forms of terrorism. We hope relevant regional countries will cooperate to cope with the threat of terrorism and jointly uphold regional peace and stability,” Geng said.

Without directly referring to India’s persistent demand to declare Azhar as a global terrorist, Geng said JeM has already been included in the sanctions list of the UN committee.

When asked about China’s stand on the listing of Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council, he said: “As for the issue of listing, I could tell you that the 1267 Committee of Security Council has a clear stipulation on the listing and procedure of the terrorist organisations”.

“JeM has been included in the Security Council terrorism sanctions list. China will continue to handle the relevant sanctions issue in a constructive and responsible manner,” Geng said in an apparent reference to External Affairs Ministry’s appeal to all members of the UN Security Council to list Azhar as a global terrorist.

India has slammed Pakistan over the Pulwama attack with Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar saying, “JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation and its leadership are located in Pakistan.”

The links to Pakistan were clear and evident for all to see, he added.